Does HP play a big role in off-roading?

[HATED1]

Hello all! I wanted to ask if power plays a big role in off-roading? I understand that it's nice to be able to flow/merge quickly through traffic, but specifically for driving on trails, sand, snow, etc., is there an advantage to having more power?

Will the 2.7 have a significant advantage over the 2.3 when not on a paved road?

Thanks for your time and input.

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[dmtndan]

Adequate HP is always needed to scoot around.
Torque is what will help you off road to push you over and through things.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Big tires in thick mud like power. Normal offroading not so much.

I don't see the 2.3 struggling.

 

[mdonathan56]

Hello all! I wanted to ask if power plays a big role in off-roading? I understand that it's nice to be able to flow/merge quickly through traffic, but specifically for driving on trails, sand, snow, etc., is there an advantage to having more power?

Will the 2.7 have a significant advantage over the 2.3 when not on a paved road?

Thanks for your time and input.

Top speed is all about HP. Torque (low RPM especially) is what you need to climb stuff roll through stuf, etc.

 

[The Bronze]

Gearing over HP or Torque for the low speed stuff. My Samurai with 60 HP and 33s climbs like a mountain goat, but can barely break 70 MPH.

 

[Apples]

Not really. The first jeepers crawled around in Willys with less than 60HP. Even now, people offroad in old Suzukis pulling 125-150 HP and have no trouble. Torque and decent tires gets you over stuff.

The Jimny sports 101HP.

 

[AcesandEights]

You need horsepower/speed to clear mud from tires, torque for almost everything else. Torque is based on gearing and t-case multiplication. Crawl ratio is torque multiplication.

 

[MSparks909]

A good driver off-road is more important than horsepower/torque. A skilled guy can take a 2.3 anywhere a 2.7 can go. Especially with the manual & crawler gear

 

[Apples]

You need horsepower/speed to clear mud from tires, torque for almost everything else. Torque is based on gearing and t-case multiplication. Crawl ratio is torque multiplication.

You need speed to clear mud from tires. More HP just gets you there faster.

 

[AcesandEights]

@Apples. I think we're saying the same thing?

 

[Apples]

@Apples. I think we're saying the same thing?

Yeah, somehow I completely missed you mentioning speed.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You need speed to clear mud from tires. More HP just gets you there faster.

Wheel speed.

I used to throw my Ranger in 4low and let that little 2.8 sing its little heart out to get wheelspeed to clean the tires.

Didn't have enough poop to do it in high range lol.

 

[DocBronco]

Hello all! I wanted to ask if power plays a big role in off-roading? I understand that it's nice to be able to flow/merge quickly through traffic, but specifically for driving on trails, sand, snow, etc., is there an advantage to having more power?

Will the 2.7 have a significant advantage over the 2.3 when not on a paved road?

Thanks for your time and input.

I have 40 horses on a tractor that is the best all around off roader I’ve ever owned. The 2.3 should be fine.

 

[rtaylor]

Will the 2.7 have a significant advantage over the 2.3 when not on a paved road?

Horsepower is fun for high-speed (4H) stuff such as sand dunes, but 2.3L is still capable.

Either fine for low-speed (4L), but 2.3L might be less likely to break drivetrain parts. Gearing is your friend, but multiplied torque can become an enemy.

 

[martyb]

It is a function of gearing and traction. Low hp properly geared is better than high hp inadequately applied. Also, if you don’t have traction high hp does nothing for you. High hp is more likely to cause you to lose traction. Chicken and egg

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